2 guns, 2 bombs, grenade seized in clash with rebels

AT LEAST two high-powered firearms and two improvised explosive devices (IED) were recovered following an encounter between the government troops and members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Purok 9 Liloan of Barangay San Vicente in Monkayo in Compostela Valley Province on Wednesday.

Lieutenant Colonel Cesar Molina, chief of the Army's 25th Infantry Battalion, in a text message, said they recovered an M16 rifle, a caliber .30 carbine rifle, two IEDs, a hand grenade, a switch, wires, batteries and other personal belongings of the NPA after a clash with rebels at around 10:40 a.m.

"The encounter started around 10 a.m. and lasted for almost 30 minutes," Molina said, adding that their troops just responded to information of some residents about the presence of rebels who have been harassing them.

Molina said their troops were conducting security patrol in the area when the communist rebels arrived and attacked them.

"Fortunately, wala naman natamaan sa mga kasamahan namin. With regard to the other side, we are still conducting follow up operation so as to determine kung meron bang nasugatan sa kanila," Molina said.

On the other hand, Major Jacob Thaddeus Obligado, chief of the Army's 10th Infantry Division's Civil Military Operation Battalion (CMOBN), said in behalf of their troops, they would like to thank the residents of the area for being vigilant.

"If not for the information, there might be another explosion that would have not been prevented," Obligado said, as he also encouraged the communist rebels to return to the folds of the law.

Obligado added that they are willing to assist rebel returnees through the various programs of the government for them that includes The Comprehensive Local Integration Program and Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan.